Johan Wagenaar facts for kids

Johan Wagenaar in 1912

Johan Wagenaar (born November 1, 1862 – died June 17, 1941) was a famous Dutch composer and organist. He wrote many different kinds of music, including operas and orchestral pieces. Wagenaar is known for his unique style and humor in his compositions.

Life Story of Johan Wagenaar

Johan Wagenaar was born in Utrecht, a city in the Netherlands. His parents, Cypriaan Gerard Berger van Hengst and Johanna Wagenaar, were not married. This was because they came from very different social backgrounds. Johan took his mother's last name, Wagenaar. Even though his parents were not married, his father still cared for him.

Early Musical Talent

From a young age, Johan showed a special gift for music. He started his formal music lessons at age 13. He learned to play the piano, organ, and violin. He also studied music theory and how to compose music. His teachers included the composer Richard Hol and the organist Samuel de Lange, Jr.. In 1892, he traveled to Berlin to study with Heinrich von Herzogenberg. Herzogenberg was a friend of the famous composer Johannes Brahms. Johan focused on learning counterpoint, which is a way of combining different melodies.

Career as an Organist and Teacher

In 1888, Wagenaar became the organist at Utrecht Cathedral. He became very well-known for his amazing organ performances. He also started teaching at the music school in Utrecht in 1896. By 1904, he became the director of that same school. He also worked with the Utrecht Municipal Orchestra.

Later, from 1919 to 1937, Wagenaar was the director of the Royal Conservatory at The Hague. Many students learned from him, including famous composers like Willem Pijper and Alexander Voormolen.

Family Life

On July 23, 1897, Johan Wagenaar married Dina Petronella van Valkenburg. They had two daughters together. Johan Wagenaar passed away in Den Haag in 1941.

Musical Works and Style

Johan Wagenaar wrote many different types of music. His compositions include operas, cantatas (pieces for choir and soloists), organ music, and orchestral works. He was influenced a little by the music of Hector Berlioz. However, the music of Richard Strauss had a much bigger impact on his style.

In his later years, Wagenaar received a special award. Utrecht University gave him an honorary Doctorate of Music. This was to recognize his great contributions to music.

List of Compositions

Here is a list of some of Johan Wagenaar's musical works:

Operas

• Proefzingen (Audition), a funny one-act scene (1913)
• The Merchant of Venice based on the play by William Shakespeare, Op. 20

Orchestral Music

• Frithjofs Meerfahrt (Frithjof's Sea Journey), Concert Piece Op. 5 (1884)
• Fancy-fair (Viennese Waltz) for orchestra, Op. 8b
• Koning Jan (King John), Overture based on Shakespeare's King Lear, Op. 9
• Frühlingsgewalt (Spring's Power), concert overture Op. 11 (1892)
• Romantic Intermezzo, Op. 13
• Levenszomer (Life's Summer), fantasy for orchestra, Op. 21
• Cyrano de Bergerac, overture, Op. 23 (1905)
• Saul en David (Saul and David), symphonic poem, Op. 24 (1906)
• De getemde feeks (The Taming of the Shrew), overture, Op. 25 (1909)
• De cid, Op. 27 (1908)
• Symphoniëtta, Op. 32
• Avondfeest en Bruidsmarsch (Evening Party and Wedding March) for Orchestra, Op. 34
• Driekoningenavond (Twelfth Night), overture, Op. 36 (1928)
• Intermezzo pastorale for orchestra, Op. 37
• Wiener Dreivierteltakt (Viennese Three-Quarter Time), waltz cycle, Op. 38 (1929)
• De Philosophische Prinses (The Philosophical Princess), overture after Carlo Gozzi, Op. 39
• Aveux de Phèdre: scène tirée de la tragédie 'Phèdre' de Jean Racine pour soprano et orchestre (Phaedra's Confessions: scene from the tragedy 'Phaedra' by Jean Racine for soprano and orchestra), Op. 41 (1935)
• Amphytrion, overture, Op. 45 (1938)
• Feestmars voor het Concertgebouworkest (Festival March for the Concertgebouw Orchestra) (1937)
• Elverhoï, symphonic poem, Op. 48 (1940)

Music for Soloist and Orchestra

• Larghetto for oboe and orchestra, op. 40 (1934)
• Aveux de Phèdre for soprano and orchestra, op. 41 (text by Jean Racine)

Choral Music

• 3 Vrouwenkoren (3 Women's Choirs) a capella, Op. 7b
• De Schipbreuk (The Shipwreck), cantata, Op. 8 (1889)
• 3 dubbelcanons (3 Double Canons) for female choir a capella, Op. 12
• Calme des Nuits (Calm of Nights) for mixed choir and piano, Op. 14.
• Bruidsvaart der Roze (Rose's Bridal Journey), waltz for female choir and piano, Op. 15
• Zweedsche Marsch (Swedish March) for male choir and orchestra or piano four hands, Op. 16a
• Ode aan de vriendschap (Ode to Friendship) for mixed choir and piano, Op. 16b
• Seefahrt (Sea Voyage) for male choir a capella, Op. 17
• Prière au Printemps (Prayer to Spring) for female choir and piano, Op. 18
• Fantasie over een oud Nederlandsch lied (Fantasy on an Old Dutch Song) for male choir and orchestra, Op. 19
• Hans und Grethel (Hansel and Gretel) for female choir a capella, Op. 22
• 3 canons voor vrouwenstemmen (3 Canons for Women's Voices), Op. 28
• De fortuinlijke kist (The Fortunate Chest) - Singspiel in one act for female choir, Op. 29
• Chanson - Five-part madrigal, Op. 30
• Des winters als het reghent (In Winter When It Rains) for female choir a capella, Op. 30
• Canticum for mixed choir, Op. 33
• Jupiter Amans for choir, soloists, piano and orchestra, Op. 35
• Psalm 100, vers 4 (for choir a capella), Op. 42

Chamber Music

• Fantasiestukken (Fantasy Pieces) for violin and piano, Op. 2
• String Quintet, Op. 4

Songs

• Liedje van de Linden (Song of the Linden Trees) (1889)
• Rondedans "Hei 't was in de Mei" (Round Dance "Hey, it was in May") (1889)
• Twee humoristische dialogen (Two Humorous Dialogues) for soprano and bass (1894)
• Twilight (1894)
• Five Songs, Op. 6
• Lied (Song), Op. 7a

Piano Music

• Impromptu à la Mazurka, Op. 1

Organ Music

• Intermezzo (1889)
• Intrada (1894)
• Introduction and Fugue, Op. 3
• Koraalbewerking en Fugetta (Chorale Arrangement and Fughetta), Op. 12a
• Koraalfantasie over "Komt dankt nu allen God" (Chorale Fantasy on "Come, Thank God All of You") for organ and brass (1923)